The R&S PR100 from Rohde & Schwarz is a portable receiver specifically tailored to worldwide requirements of mobile radio monitoring. Its wide frequency range from 9 kHz to 7.5 GHz makes it suitable for diverse applications such as radio reconnaissance, locating interference sources, and frequency monitoring. Despite its compact size, the receiver offers high sensitivity and a scan speed of up to 2.0 GHz per second. This enables regulatory authorities, industry, or armed forces to capture even weak or short-term signals, said the manufacturer.

Featuring real-time bandwidth of up to 10 MHz and powerful digital signal-processing capabilities, the PR100 can intercept short-term signals such as those emitted by short-haul radio modules or military radios using frequency-hopping techniques. Because intercepted data is continuously buffered during scanning, no signals are lost during data processing. Stored activities can be displayed with a waterfall diagram. This means that even signals that are no longer being transmitted can be analyzed while the operator optimizes the receiver settings for the short-term signal being monitored.

The IF bandwidth of the portable receiver ranges between 10 kHz and the 10 MHz maximum visible real-time bandwidth. As a result, the receiver can be adapted to handle a variety of radio services such as air traffic control, short-wave, TETRA or UMTS. IF bandwidth can be selected independent of demodulation bandwidth. This allows the operator to demodulate an audio signal, store it and at the same time intercept signals across the set IF bandwidth. As a result, according to R&S, no signals are lost during demodulation. Moreover, the differential spectrum display lets the operator compare stored frequency occupancies with signal activities currently being received. Any differences will be shown in the differential spectrum. Consequently, it makes it possible to track illegal transmitters such as bugs without a major analysis effort, stated R&S.

Maximum insertion loss characteristics with frequency for FE39WW cable.

It is capable of processing both analog and digital signals. Digitally modulated radio signals such as TETRA, packet radio, or Pactor III can be demodulated in the baseband with an I/Q demodulation bandwidth of up to 500 kHz and stored on an SD card in real time. After completing a mission, data stored on the SD card can be transferred to an external PC via USB or LAN or the SD card itself. Recorded digital emissions such as Pactor III can then be analyzed offline by means of the R&S GX430 analysis software.

Because it can be fully remote-controlled via its LAN interface, the portable receiver can also be deployed for unmanned operation, as part of a stationary radio-monitoring system, for example. Moreover, because the receiver settings for a variety of signal and frequency scenarios can be directly stored on the SD card and recalled as needed, the receiver can also perform automatic functional tests quickly and easily. For example, airport operators, police, government authorities, and other security organizations can perform continuous checks to ensure the proper functioning of their radio systems.

Weighing only 3.5 kg with an operating time of approximately four hours, the PR100 is built for locations that cannot be accessed with DF vehicles — in particular, inside buildings, noted the supplier. When used in conjunction with the R&S HE300 active directional antenna, the portable receiver locates, for example, emergency transmitters or interfering pulses being emitted by defective electronic equipment that can impair the reception of regular radio signals. The unit has been optimized for radio-monitoring tasks.

Offering a 6-inch VGA color display, the R&S PR100 is now available. Pricing starts at $17,400 (base unit).
Rohde & Schwarz
410-910-7988
www.rohde-schwarz.com